Dozens of pro-democracy Malaysians supporting the Milk Tea Alliance gathered outside the Myanmar embassy in Kuala Lumpur today to hand over a memorandum condemning violence against protesters in that country.
Those who arrived outside the embassy at Desa Pahlawan today included people from local nonprofits such as Justice For Sisters and the Center of Independent Journalism. Malaysia’s Milk Tea Alliance had in its memorandum called for the violence against Myanmar civilians protesting against the military coup to end.
“We condemn that the junta has responded to these peaceful protests with assault, mass arbitrary detention, threats, lethal use of force, and harassment,” it said.
The Milk Tea Alliance had also asked the “Myanmar Embassy to send back the message to the junta to stop killing. Stop killing children.”
More than 500 people have been killed and thousands arrested in Myanmar amid the junta’s crackdown on protesters. Klang MP Charles Santiago was also there to show support. The alliance also noted on Twitter that Myanmar refugees had joined them outside the embassy, but did not identify who they were.
“People of Asean like you and me and from other countries have to stand up and tell our governments to act responsibly, stop the violence and bring back democracy to the country,” he was quoted by The Star.
Some of those who stood outside the embassy had carried signs that said “Stop the violence in Myanmar” and “Reject the military coup in Myanmar.”
Myanmar’s military arrested State Counsellor Aung San Suu Kyi and President U Win Myint in February before taking over the government and declaring a state of emergency for a year. The move sparked widespread protests in Myanmar and spawned a Civil Disobedience Movement. The military retaliated with violence, even gunning down civilians.
The Milk Tea Alliance calls itself an online democratic solidarity movement involving mainly those from Hong Kong, Thailand, Taiwan, and Myanmar.
Good morning, today we are outside the #Myanmar Embassy to handover our memorandum on behalf of the Milk Tea Alliance, joined by Myanmar refugees and Malaysian civil society#WhatsHappeningInMyanmar pic.twitter.com/2NFDukudMt
— MTA Malaysia 🏴 🏳️ (@MYmilkteh) March 31, 2021
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